The Honourable Minister of the FCT, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has, on behalf of the FCT Administration extended his warmest congratulations to all the children in the Federal Capital Territory on the celebration of the 2021 National Children Day.
Malam Bello called on them to imbibe the virtues of integrity, honesty, hard work, discipline and a deep sense of patriotism and love for country, stressing that these character traits are critical to achieving excellence in their chosen fields of endeavors as well as realising nation’s greatness.
“You have no other country but Nigeria and as residents of the FCT, you have an obligation to live together in peace and harmony as envisaged by our founding fathers”, the Minister said.
He also advised them to shun all acts that might negatively impact their future such as cultism, immoral behavior, disrespect for authority, drug abuse, and online criminal activities amongst others.
Speaking on the theme for the 2021 celebrations which is “The Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Total Wellbeing of the Nigerian Child: The Way Forward” Malam Bello, said that the pandemic indeed had a negative effect on the children as it disrupted their academic pursuits, deprived them of normal social interactions with their peers and even took the lives of some of their loved ones.
While praising Nigerian children and youths for their resilience in the face of the challenges caused by the pandemic, the Minister also reminded them that the pandemic was not yet over and called on them to continue to adhere to the non-pharmaceutical protocols which includes hand washing, facial covering and physical distancing.
The Minister also called on parents to always ensure the wellbeing and welfare of their children while assuring them of the commitment of the FCT Administration in meeting all its obligations to the Nigerian child.